Osun Election: Adeleke’s Victory Reflects Voters’ Will Despite Irregularities — NNPP Scribe

By Sunday Ameh

The National Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Dipo Olayoku, has said Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the August 15 Osun State governorship election reflected the will of the electorate despite alleged irregularities that characterised the poll.

Olayoku stated this on Monday while speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, during a post-election assessment of the exercise.

Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, secured 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission for announcing the result within about 15 hours and 30 minutes after voting ended, Olayoku said the swift declaration did not mean the election was without flaws.

“We commend the people of Osun, but that does not mean that the election didn’t have its own loopholes.”

The NNPP national secretary alleged that intimidation, political interference, vote-buying and other controversies affected the credibility of the election.

He particularly questioned the freezing of the Osun State Government’s account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission shortly before the election over alleged concerns about vote-buying, noting that the account was later ordered unfrozen by President Bola Tinubu.

Olayoku also alleged that Accord Party members were intimidated during the build-up to the election, citing an alleged threat by an APC senator against members of the party in Ilesa.

He said the allegations made it difficult to describe the election as completely free, fair and credible.

Despite his reservations, Olayoku maintained that Osun voters demonstrated their determination to choose their preferred candidate.

“The people of Osun have shown that they have their will and their conviction, and nobody can change their will.”

He urged electoral authorities and political institutions to address the identified weaknesses ahead of the 2027 general elections.